Post by Anton on Jun 26, 2013 17:35:18 GMT
Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is one of the two main variants of
vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin. It is present in nutritional
supplements in the forms D2 (ergocalicferol) and D3. In the liver, both
are converted into 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, or 25(OH)D.
The role of vitamin D in bone health is long-established. One
of its principal biological roles is to maintain normal calcium and
phosphorus levels in the blood. By promoting calcium absorption, it
helps to form and maintain strong bones.
Over the last 10 years, research has demonstrated that vitamin D may
offer a number of additional health benefits when given at the right
dose.
Vitamin D3 also has an immuno-modulatory effect. One
scientific article hypothesized that seasonal infections such as
influenza, could be due to the lower vitamin D levels typically seen
during winter months, and not to an increase in viral activity.
Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with a higher incidence of
hypertension, diabetes, obesity and elevated blood levels of
triglycerides.
In patients suffering from congestive cardiac insufficiency,
daily administration of 2000 IU vitamin D combined with 500 mg calcium
reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines partly responsible for
their condition.
In elderly people, vitamin D supplementation reduced their
predisposition to diabetes by slowing down decreases in insulin
sensitivity.
It also significantly reduced the risk of falls in older persons.
Vitamin D3 is generally well-tolerated in adults at daily doses
up to 2000 IU. Several studies suggest it may be safe even at doses up
to 10,000 IU/day, although health authorities have set the safe upper
limit at 1000 IU/day. Scientists, however, believe a healthy adult
needs close to 1000 IU/day.
vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin. It is present in nutritional
supplements in the forms D2 (ergocalicferol) and D3. In the liver, both
are converted into 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, or 25(OH)D.
The role of vitamin D in bone health is long-established. One
of its principal biological roles is to maintain normal calcium and
phosphorus levels in the blood. By promoting calcium absorption, it
helps to form and maintain strong bones.
Over the last 10 years, research has demonstrated that vitamin D may
offer a number of additional health benefits when given at the right
dose.
Vitamin D3 also has an immuno-modulatory effect. One
scientific article hypothesized that seasonal infections such as
influenza, could be due to the lower vitamin D levels typically seen
during winter months, and not to an increase in viral activity.
Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with a higher incidence of
hypertension, diabetes, obesity and elevated blood levels of
triglycerides.
In patients suffering from congestive cardiac insufficiency,
daily administration of 2000 IU vitamin D combined with 500 mg calcium
reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines partly responsible for
their condition.
In elderly people, vitamin D supplementation reduced their
predisposition to diabetes by slowing down decreases in insulin
sensitivity.
It also significantly reduced the risk of falls in older persons.
Vitamin D3 is generally well-tolerated in adults at daily doses
up to 2000 IU. Several studies suggest it may be safe even at doses up
to 10,000 IU/day, although health authorities have set the safe upper
limit at 1000 IU/day. Scientists, however, believe a healthy adult
needs close to 1000 IU/day.
